Purse frame and method of making same



Dec. 6, 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON 2,963,063

PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF' MAKING SAME Filed May 6, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheetl WIQZ- IN V EN TOR.

DOUGLAS J- BPOUGf/TO/V- 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON 2,963,063

V PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed May 6, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet2 IN V EN T OR. 00L/GLA5 I BPOl/Gh 7'0/V Dec. 6, 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON2,963,063

PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed MayS, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3IN V EN TOR.

00061 A 5 .L BPOUGH 7'0/V ATTOENEY5 United States Patent PURSE FRAME ANDMETHOD OF -MAKING SAME Douglas J. Broughton, Springfield, Mass.,assignor to Buxton, Incorporated, Agawam, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Filed May 6, 1958, Ser. No. 733,315"

7 Claims. Cl. 150-29 This invention relates to improvements in closureframes for gusseted purses and similar receptacles, and the methods ofmaking such frames.

These frames comprise two generally U-shaped channeled frame members,the free ends of the arms of the U-frames being pivoted or otherwisehinged together, the edges of the side walls and the gusset edges of thepurse being clamped within the channels of the arms and cross bars ofthe frame members.

It has heretofore been a common practice to construct these frames frompreformed lengths of metal having a cross-sectional channel form, thelengths being bent into the desired U-shape, and the free ends formed toreceive the rivet or other means by which the opposed U members arepivoted together to complete the frame.

These prior structures and methods have resulted in relatively highcosts in the manufacture of such frames, particularly under qualityproduct controls, and have required substantial skill and care in theirapplication to purses, purse-billfold combinations and the similarreceptacles towhich these frames are applied.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the above restrictivedifficulties in the manufacture and use of purse closure frames.

A more specific object is to provide a frame which can be manufacturedmore economically and with greater ease of product control and aresulting greater assurance of uniform quality.

A further object is to provide a construction which can, for the mostpart, be made by economical die-.

press procedures.

A further object is to provide a purse closure frame which can be moreeconomically incorporated in or applied to the purse or other receptacleit serves, and which provides greater capacity in gusseted purses.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which disclose one embodiment of theinvention and the methods of forming the frame and applying it to thepurse:

Fig. l is a plan view, parts being broken away, of a completed frameembodying the invention, showing the outer face of the frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the inner face of theframe, that is the faces of the frame halves which engage when thehalves are swung to superposed, receptacle closing position;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the frame, looking from the right in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is aview of a frame half as the latter is blanked out in flatform from a suitable sheet of metal;

Fig. 6 is afragmentary view showing the first step in shaping the framehalf;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View looking from the left in Fig. 6;

ice

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the frame half completelyshaped;

Fig. 9 is a side view showing the initial step of assembling the framewith a purse billfold combination;

Fig. 10 is a front view, parts broken away, showing the assembly furtheradvanced;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, with parts broken away, showingthe frame in fully assembled position on the receptacle;

Fig. 12 is a detail fragmentary view illustrating the manner in whichthe bar portion of the frames are secured to the receptacle;

Fig. 13 is a detail fragmentary view showing a position of the framepreparatory to securing the side members of the frame to the outer edgesof the purse gusset members;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on line 14l4 ofFig. 13 showing the side member in secured position; and

Fig. 15 is a view of the purse-billfold with the frame completelyapplied and secured.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the frame, generally indicated at 1,is shown as comprising two U-shaped frame units 2, each comprising aright line bar or cross member 3 and spaced side or arm members 4, thelatter extending from the bar member symmetrically in the samedirection. In the form shown the side members 4 are parallel to eachother and at right angles to the bar member. The bar member includesopposed portions 5 and 6 forming a channel 7 between them and the sidemembers each include opposed portions 3 and 9 forming channels 10between them. The portions 6 have extensions 12 which are bent to closethe ends of channel 7 to enhance appearance and impart rigidity to thecross bar. Each side member is provided with an extension or tab 13provided with an aperture 13' by which the frame units are pivotedtogether, by means of rivets 14, to permit the units to be swung towardeach other, in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, to bring the innerfaces of the frame units into purse closing engagement. Each bar memberof the frame is provided, as by soldering, brazing or welding, withinterfering clasp members 15, of any usual or desired form whichreleasably interengage to hold the frames releasably closed in a knownmanner.

The particular relationship of the various elements and their functionare best described and understood from the following description of themanner in which the frame units 2 are formed.

The frame units are substantially identical in structure and adescription of one will serve for both. Referring to Fig. 5 the frameunits are formed from a flat blank generally indicated at 16,economically die cut from a sheet of suitable metal. The portions of theblank which will form the previously mentioned elements of the finishedframe are designated by the reference characters above applied to thoseelements. The flat blank 16 thus comprises a cross bar forming portionA, made up of the portions 5, 6 and 12, from which the cross member 3 isformed, and side members B made up of portions 8, 9 and 13 from whichthe side members 4 are formed. Cuts 17 extend inwardly from the inneredge of portion 6, the portion of 6 between cuts 17 forming anindependently bendable lip. In the blank, portions 12 are end extensionsof portion 6 and the portions 8 are side extensions of portions 9, thecuts 18.terminating portions 8 short of the line of the inner edge ofcross member A.

By the initial forming'operation the extending portion 5 is bentarcuately over portion 6 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, forming the channel7 therebetween. The extending portions 12, 8, and 13 are then bent intoa plane at right angles to the original plane of the blank, portions 12being thus positioned beneath the already bent portion 5, as indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 8. In the initial bending operation the portion5 is slightly overbent so that as portions 12 are brought to verticalposition they engage tightly and snugly beneath the ends of portion 5.The portions 8 which are separated from portions 12 by the cuts 18, arethen further bent to a position overlying portion 9, forming the channel10 therebetween, the portions 12 and 13 being left in a plane at rightangles to the plane of portions 9 and 6 which remain in the originalplane of the blank. Preferably, for reasons later explained, thechannels 10 are formed to taper slightly from the end adjacent portion13 toward the bar member 3 as best shown in Fig. 9.

While for purposes of clarity the forming steps above described havebeen described successively it will be understood that the forming willordinarily be carried out as a continuous operation, and with the timingof the steps overlapping so far as their nature permits.

Prior to the initial bending of portion 5, or at any other convenienttime during the forming operation one or more small dents, or points,are formed in the portions 8 as indicated at 19, to extend inwardly ofthe channels 10 to more securely grip the material clamped in thechannel as later described.

At the end of the described forming operations the blank 16 has beenbrought to the form shown in Fig. 8, comprising one unit 2 of thecomplete frame. Two units as shown in Fig. 8 are then positioned inopposed relation, with the portions 13 overlapping and with theapertures 13 in said portions in register, and the frames hingedtogether by rivets 14 extending through the apertures and with the sidemembers of the opposing units in alignment, this alignment beingeffected by a slight offsetting of one of the overlapping members 13.Prior to, or after, this connection of the two units the bar of eachunit is provided with its clasp member 15, previously described. Theframe is thus completed to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The frame may be conveniently and advantageously applied to a pursestructure as shown in Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive. For purposes ofillustration the frame is shown in the latter figures as being appliedto a purse-billfold combination generally indicated at 20. The elementsof the combination 20 which are pertinent to the following descriptioninclude opposed purse side Walls 21 and 22 connected along their sideedges by purse end walls, shown in the form of triangular gusset pieces23, an outer billfold wall 24 in the form of a continuous strip, aninner billfold wall including the innertpurse Wall 22 and a section 26connected by 'a flexible element 27 to the purse walls 2122 at theclosed bottom of the purse, and a closure flap 28 secured along theouter end edge of section 25, flap 28 and the outer wall member 24 beingrespectively shown as provided with interengaging members 29 of aconventional snap fastener, by which the billfold is releasably heldclosed in the usual manner.

With the frame halves 2 swung closely together and with gusset pieces,folded inwardly, in the usual manner as at 25, to bring the halves 30 oftheir free edges into similar close proximity as shown in Fig. 9, theedges 30 are introduced into the channels 10 of the adjacent framehalves as indicated in Fig. 9, the adjacent edges of wall members 21, 22and 24 and of flap 28 being kept outwardly of members 8 of the frame; asshown in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 10 shows the frame slid along the edges 30to bring the end edges 31 of the several purse-billfold members intoclose proximity to cross member 3 of the frame. Further movement of theframe seats the edges 31 in channel 7 of the cross member 3 as indicatedin Fig. 11. The introduction of edges 30 into channels 10 is facilitatedby the previously mentioned flare of the channels 10 at their ends whichare adjacent the rivets 14.

With the frame thus in place the bar portions 3 may then be successivelyplaced between suitable press members as shown in dotted lines in Fig.12 to bend the lip portions of frame member 6 which lies between cuts17, inwardly of channel 7 and toward member 5, to firmly clamp theportions of the purse-billfold members adjacent edge 31 in the channels7. Thereafter the frame halves may be brought into alignment, as in Fig.13, and frame members 8 bent into tight clamping engagement with theedge portions 30 of the gusset pieces 23, as indicated in Fig. 14(members 9 remaining unbent), by presser members, not shown. In theposition of Fig. 13 the adjacent members 8 may be simultaneously bent togusset clamping position but obviously, if desired, the frame members 8may be successively bent to clamping position without bringing the framehalf into complete alignment.

The frame member may thus be easily and quickly applied to a purse,purse-billfold or other gusseted receptacle which has otherwise beencompleted.

It will be seen that by the described construction the members 5 of theframe are not displaced from their position in Figs. 1 and 2 by theclamping of edges 31, the cuts 17 permitting the intervening portions ofmembers 6 to move to clamping position independently and without anytendency to distort any other portion of the frame. Also that, followingclamping of edges 30 of the gussets, the members 9, which engage in faceto face relation when the purse is closed, remain in their originalplane thus presenting a neat appearance and a secure closure of thepurse-the member 3, due to cuts 18, moving to clamping positionindependently and without any tendency to distort any other portion ofthe frame.

Furthermore since no part of the gusset members 23 are clamped to thecross bar, any gathers at the corners of the purse opening are avoidedwithout sacrificing any width or depth of the purse, thus increasingpurse capacity. The linear engagement of all the receptacle side wallsin the cross members 3 and the position of frame portions 8 within thegusset folds, gives neat, clean, characterizing, parallel outlines tothe receptacle as a whole, as is apparent from Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the members of the purse or purse combinationmay take any usual or desired form and that while in the formillustrated and above described the frame side members are at rightangles to the right line cross bar, the side members may extend at anangle departing from a right angle and may extend from points inwardlyof the bar, so long as the symmetry of the unit is preserved. Also whilethe channel in the cross bar is shown substantially as a quadrant incross-section, the cross-section of the bar and its channel may be givena rectangular or other cross-sectional configuration as desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure frame for application to purses and the like whichcomprises two symmetrical, opposed, generally U-shaped frame units eachincluding a right line cross member and side members extendingsymmetrically from the ends thereof, the free ends of the side membersof one unit being pivotally connected to the free ends of the sidemembers of the other unit to permit swinging movement of said units toand from a contacting position, said members being channeled, the opensides of the channels opening inwardly of the units and the ends of thechannels in the cross members opening outwardly at the sides of theunits, a wall of the channel in each cross member including portionsextending from the ends thereof and closing the ends of the channel inthe cross member, the respective channel walls of the cross memberswhich engage when the frame units are in said contacting position beingprovided with cuts which extend inwardly from the edge thereof, theportions of the channel walls intermediate said cuts forming elongatedlips which are independently bendable inwardly of the channel toward theopposite wall thereof.

2. A closure frame as in claim 1 the channels in the side memberstapering from their pivotally connected ends.

3. A closure frame as in claim 2 the said portions which close the endsof the channel in the cross member being extensions of that channel wallin which said lip forming cuts are formed.

4. A closure frame for application to purses and the like whichcomprises two opposed U-shaped frame units each unit including a rightline cross member and parallel side members extending in the samedirection from the ends of the cross member at right angles thereto, theunits being hinged together at the ends of the side members for swingingmovement to and from engagement with each other, the said members beingchanneled, the open side of the channels opening inwardly of the unitsand the ends of the channels in the cross members opening outwardly ofthe units at the sides thereof, the walls of cross members and sidemembers of each unit which engage upon said swinging movement lying incommon planes and the engaging walls of the cross members being providedwith two cuts extending inwardly from the edge thereof, said cuts beingpositioned one adjacent each end of the cross member inwardly of theadjacent side member, the portion of the wall member intermediate saidcuts forming an elongated lip bendable inwardly of the channel towardsthe opposite wall thereof.

5. A closure frame as in claim 4 the ends of that channel wall of eachcross member in which the cuts are formed being provided with anextension extending at right angles thereto inwardly of the channel andcon- 6. forming in shape to the cross-section of the channel to closethe ends thereof and to maintain the spacing of the channel wallsoutwardly of the lip upon bending of the latter.

6. A closure frame as in claim 4 the channels in the side memberstapering in cross-section from their hinged ends.

7. The method of making a U-shaped frame unit adapted to form half of aclosure frame for purses and the like which comprises cutting from aflat, die formable sheet of metal a fiat blank having a right line barmember and spaced side members extending symmetrically from one side ofthe bar member, the side member including side extensions extendingoutwardly therefrom, said side extensions stopping short of the line ofthe inner edge of the bar member, said side members having aperturedtabs extending from the ends thereof, the bar member having cutsextending inwardly thereof adjacent the inner edges of the side membersto provide an independently bendable lip between the cuts, bending theouter portion of the bar member and said side extensions of the sidemembers upwardly and over the adjacent portions of said members whilemaintaining the latter portions in the original plane of the blank toform channels between said adjacent portions and the bent portions andbring said apertured tabs into planes substantially at right angles tothe original plane of the blank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS655,029 Spier July 31, 1900 1,114,607 Greenbaum Oct. 20, 1914 1,232,526Fuller July 10, 1917

